Lady Masumah (a)

The life, lineage and lofty station of Fatimah al-Masumah (a), whose shrine is the spiritual heart of Qum — and the merits of visiting her.

The city of Qum is not only the largest centre of Shia scholarship but also a beacon of spirituality and guidance. At its heart lies the revered shrine of Lady Masumah (a), which draws millions of pilgrims seeking solace and upliftment. Whether you come to reflect, to perform ritual worship, or simply to sit in its atmosphere, the shrine quickly becomes a fixture of life here.

Birth and lineage

Fatimah bint Musa ibn Jafar, popularly known as Fatimah al-Masumah (a) or Lady Masumah, is the daughter of the seventh Imam, Imam Musa al-Kadhim (a), and Najma Khatun. She is also the sister of the eighth Imam, Imam al-Ridha (a). Early sources give no specific date for her birth; later history books, however, state that she was born on the 1st of Dhul-Qada 173 AH (22 March 790 AD) in Medina.

Knowledge

One of Lady Masumah’s (a) defining qualities was her considerable knowledge of the Islamic sciences and of the teachings and merits of the family of the Holy Prophet (s). It is reported that a group of Shia once came to Medina seeking answers from Imam al-Kadhim (a), but the Imam was away. In his absence, Lady Masumah (a) wrote down the responses to their questions and gave them the paper. On their way back they unexpectedly met the Imam, and when he saw her replies he exclaimed three times, “May her father be her sacrifice.” Even today scholars frequently visit her shrine, seeking inspiration and beseeching her to help them resolve their problems and questions.

Narrations

As a narrator, Lady Masumah (a) has quoted several hadith from previous Infallible Imams (a) — most notably Hadith al-Ghadir, Hadith al-Manzila, and narrations concerning love for the Progeny of Prophet Muhammad (a) and the position of Imam Ali (a) and his followers.

Journey to Qum

According to the author of The History of Qum, in the year 200 AH (815 AD) the Abbasid caliph Mamun summoned Imam al-Ridha (a) from Medina to Merv, intending to appoint him as his successor. In 201 AH (816 AD), Lady Masumah (a) left Medina to join her brother in response to a letter from him, setting out for Iran in a caravan with her relatives. On reaching Saveh, a city near Qum, they were met with a bloody confrontation with enemies of the Ahl al-Bayt (a), in which all her brothers and nephews were martyred. Witnessing this tragedy, Lady Masumah (a) fell ill and asked her servant to take her on to Qum.

Another account relates that, on hearing of her illness, the people of Banu Sa’d resolved to invite her to Qum. Musa ibn Khazraj, a companion of Imam al-Ridha (a), was the first to do so, going to her caravan and inviting her to his house. Some later histories say she arrived in Qum on the 23rd of Rabi’ al-Awal 200 AH (23 October 816 AD). She stayed in Musa ibn Khazraj’s house for seventeen days, devoting her time to worship and prayer. The sanctuary where she prayed there is today a renowned site known as Bayt al-Nur (the House of Light).

Demise

Early sources do not record the exact date of her passing, but later accounts indicate that she died on the 10th of Rabi’ al-Thani 201 AH (5 November 816 AD), at the age of 28; some records suggest the 12th of the same month (7 November). The Shia community organised an honourable funeral procession, and her body was taken to a garden owned by Musa ibn Khazraj, known as Babilan, where the shrine now stands. He built a canopy over the grave, which remained until 256 AH (870 AD), when Zaynab, the daughter of Imam al-Jawad (a), visited her aunt’s shrine and raised the first dome over it.

Her merits and the title al-Masumah

Traditional texts narrate that, apart from Imam al-Ridha (a), none of Imam al-Kadhim’s children reached the spiritual level of Lady Masumah (a). Shaykh Abbas al-Qummi held that she possesses the highest virtue and respect among the daughters of Imam Musa ibn Jafar (a), and scholars such as Imam Khumayni have likened her station to that of Lady Fatimah al-Zahra (a) — in a forty-four-line poem.

Her most renowned title, al-Masumah, derives from a narration of Imam al-Ridha (a): “Whoever visits the shrine of al-Masumah in Qum, it is as if they have visited me.” In another narration she referred to herself as “al-Masumah, the sister of Imam al-Ridha (a).” Certain narrations state that she has the power to intercede for people before Allah (swt), and that Shia Muslims will enter heaven through her intercession. It is narrated from Imam al-Sadiq (a): “There will pass away in Qum a lady of my descendants known as Fatimah, by whose intercession our Shia followers will enter heaven.”

Merits of visiting her

Several narrations from the Infallible Imams (a) describe the merits of visiting her shrine. Imam al-Sadiq (a) is reported to have said: “Allah has a holy site, which is Mecca; the Prophet Muhammad (s) has a holy site, which is Medina; Imam Ali (a) has a holy site, which is Kufa (Najaf); and we, the Ahl al-Bayt (a), have a holy site, which is Qum.” Entering Paradise has been promised as the reward for visiting her. Imam al-Ridha (a) said, “Whoever visits her, it is as if he has visited me,” and in another account, “Whoever visits her will enter Paradise.” Imam al-Jawad (a) said: “Whoever visits the shrine of my aunt, Lady Fatimah al-Masumah (a), in Qum, with love and knowledge of her true position, will be among the inhabitants of Paradise.”

At the shrine today

Some of the other key features of the haram include:

• Graves of scholars — many well-known scholars are buried within the haram, including Ayatullah Burujurdi, Allamah Tabatabai, Shahid Mutahhari, Ayatullah Behjat and Ayatullah Misbah Yazdi, among many others.
• Classes — the basement hosts numerous classes for men, women and children, covering Qurʾan recitation, hawzah courses, Qurʾan memorisation and more, at various times and levels. Registration is usually held at set times of the year at the main office, also in the basement; for details and to register, visit qhkarimeh.ir.
• Functions — daily congregational prayers are held, along with religious programs through the week and on special occasions: Dua Tawassul on Tuesdays, Dua Kumayl and Ziyarah Jamia Kabeera on Thursdays, and Dua Nudbah on Fridays. See the haram’s official website, amfm.ir, for news and schedules.
• Banquet hall — a basement hall serves pilgrims lunch and dinner; tickets for this blessed food are normally obtained by making a donation at one of the donation offices.
• Access — the haram is open every day, 24 hours a day.